Carers

What is a Carer?

A Carer is someone who helps another person in their day to day life. This is usually a relative or friend. It is not the same as someone who provides care professionally or through a voluntary organisation.

Many people do not recognise themselves as carers. They can be any age; they are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends or neighbours doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life for someone close to them. They may not realise that support is available to help them.

According to Carers UK there are around seven million carers in the UK – that is one in eight people. This is rising. Three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives in the UK. Out of the UK's carers 42% are men and 58% are women.

In the recent census 2021, approximately 14,868 unpaid carers were identified in York, that is, 8 % of the city’s population. 6,248 people were providing more than 20 hours of unpaid care a week in 2021 – including 3,803 people doing so for more than 50 hours a week.

Being a Carer

Carers provide regular, unpaid help to someone close to them due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Carers may help with:

personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, feeding)
medication
cooking
shopping
housework
emotional support

Caring can be tough and it is important to look after yourself. York Carers Centre provides some useful tips for carers. https://yorkcarerscentre.co.uk/start-here-checklist-for-carers/

Carers Assessments

A Carer’s Needs Assessment concentrates on the needs of the carer and the support needed to continue in their caring role. It looks at how caring impacts on the carer’s wellbeing and if they are willing and able to continue caring.

All carers are able to have an assessment of their needs regardless of their financial means or the level of support they provide. If the person who is being cared for does not want an assessment in their own right, the carer can still have an assessment of their needs. If you care for another person, you can ask for an assessment of your needs to see if you’re eligible to receive support.

It is not an assessment of your ability as a carer, it is about your needs and how to make it easier for you to care.

Pointers about carer’s assessments:

They are free and confidential.
No assumptions will be made as to whether you wish to continue to provide the amount and type of care that you have provided in the past.
The assessment will be as informal as possible.
You can have the assessment with, or separate from, the person you care for. You can have it in your own home, over the phone or somewhere else.
York Carers Centre take all referrals for Carers Assessments for those supporting an adult. They work closely with City of York Council, and decide who is best placed to undertake the assessment. York Carers Centre or City of York Council will then get in touch with you to arrange the assessment.

A carer's assessment looks at your caring situation and checks that your needs are taken into account. It helps to identify the physical, emotional and practical impact that caring has on your life. You'll be asked about the kind of support the person you care for needs, and what help you might need to provide it, as well as how to look after your own health and wellbeing

How do I ask for a carers assessment of need?

When you are caring for an adult:

By contacting York Carers Centre on 01904 715 490 or emailing enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk
If the person you care for has a social worker, or other professional, they may request one on your behalf, or do this with you. This will always be with your knowledge.
You can complete your own self-assessment using the guidance and form available on York Carers Centre website www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk/adult-carers/ask-for-a-carers-assessment-of-need

Finding Events, Activities and discounted entries

Live Well York What's On Directory provides information on a range of adult community activities that are available including those that are specifically for carers.

Information about events taking place will also be found on the York Carers Centre Events Calendar,

Free wellbeing and interest courses for carers – WEA. Explore what's on offer to you today: thewea.info/caregivers

York Carers Centre has a free discount card for carers in York that can save you money at nearly 50 local businesses; a wide range of shops, services, restaurants and gyms are taking part. This is available to all carers who register with York Carers Centre. If you register with York Carers Centre you will receive a discount card automatically.

A number of places allow free or discounted admission when a carer needs to escort someone with a disability. Remember to ask about 'discount for carers' when you're out and about, as venues have their own eligibility criteria.

CarerSmart is a new club from Carers Trust, the UK’s largest carers charity, and is open to carers, people with care needs and staff and volunteers across the Carers Trust network.

Short Breaks for carers - A number of organisations in York offer short breaks and holidays for carers and can help you to take some time off from your caring role by offering information, advice and support for carers, or acting as a gateway to other services you may need.

You could also be eligible for a short break through a direct payment or personal budget as part of the person you care for through social care needs assessment or through a carer's assessment from York Carers Centre

York Carers Centre

York Carers Centre is an independent charity founded in 2009. It ensures unpaid carers throughout York have access to information, advice and support. It works in partnership with carers, statutory and voluntary organisations to influence positive change in service delivery with local government, employers and health providers. The centre is a network member of the national Carers Trust.

York Carers Centre offer a range of activities and support when caring for an adult, such as:-

For more details go to the York Carers Centre website.

Digital Resources for Carers

If you help to look after someone close because of physical or mental ill health, disability or addiction, you can get free advice and support online with Carers UK’s Digital Resources for Carers. It's provided in collaboration with City of York Council. Visit the website and use the unique York access code to create an account: DGTL6282: Carers UK - Digital Resource for Carers

It contains a wide range of advice guides that might make a caring role easier, covering topics including financial planning, working and health and wellbeing. There is also access to Jointly, a care-coordination app which supports communication between the people who share the care: Jointly App.

Please note that York Carers Centre also provide support for young cares and young adult carers. Please go to their website for more information.

Last updated: 24/06/2025